Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg topped the timesheets as the second pre-season test of 2014 got underway in Bahrain on Wednesday.

The German, who completed 78 laps in the Mercedes-powered VJM07, edged out Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton with a lap time that was some 0.081s quicker than last year’s fastest race lap in Sakhir.

Aren't quicker laps set during non race scenarios like this? 81 thousandths quicker than a race lap seems to say slightly slower in race situation. But should be close which is good for everyone.

I agree, while promising the fastest lap last year was Rosberg's Q3 lap at 1.32.3. I would think that is a more fair comparison than either a car with heavy fuel load and fresh tires or low fuel load and worn tires or just a driver trying to make the tires last. So about 4s behind which is better than the 5s recorded at Jerez.

Rosberg's fastest lap Friday at Bahrain was an impressive: 1:33.283
His 2013 Bahrain pole: 1:32.330
Vettel's fastest lap of the 2013 race: 1:36.961
So...a new formula with new power and less downforce and at the second practice we're seeing competitive times to the old formula.
It would appear 2014's shaping up to be just fine.

Cars are running up to 22kph faster on the straights in Bahrain. That's what less aero and more torque will do.

Yes, it seems the initial comments on slowness due to less downforce forgot about the gain in top speed from less downforce. Give and take with what looks to be a pretty even result. Quite a lot scarier though with higher speeds and less grip...may the brave prevail